Washing machine having improved closure member sealing means



Feb. 16, 1965 F. w. MOORE ETAL 3,159,540

WASHING MACHINE HAVING IMPROVED CLOSURE MEMBER SEALING MEANS Filed Dec. 26, 19s:

F'IGJ INVENTORS FRED w. MOORE I ROBERT CPRESSLEY 3R THEIR ATTORNEY United States Patent flhce dfibflfidfl Patented Feb. 16, 1965 fididdtl WASHMG Ii EACHNE HAHNG RQVED CLQSURE MEMBER SEALENG MEANS Fred W. Moore, Louisville, and Robert 8. Fressley, 312,

Anchorage, Ky, assignors to General Electric (Joinpany, a corporation of New Yorlr File-d Dec. 2s, 1963, Ser. No. 333,339 7 (Cl. 134-191) This invention relates generally to automatic washing machines and, more specifically, to an improved means for providing a seal around the closure member of an automatic washing machine.

It is necessary in many types of washing machines to provide some means to seal the closure member which, when open, allows access to the interior of the machine. This is particularly true in an automatic dishwasher wherein the wash action involves vigorous spray and splash of wash fluids within the machine. Several means have een heretofore proposed to effect such sealing; however, many of these means necessitate reliance upon resiliency and inherent recovery from compression of a gasket-like element to achieve a seal. Essentially all materials which are presently available for use as gaskets or seals tend to lose their recovery ability with age and continuous use. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a seal for the closure member of a washing machine which does not rely upon the aforementioned resiliency and recovery ability of the gasket material.

In some types of washing machines, and particularly into automatic dishwashers, it has been found that a wash fluid spray source at, or near, the top of the wash chamber enhances the efficiency of the machine. In an automatic dishwasher, for example, such a spray source greatly reduces redeposition of food particles on the horizontally disposed upper surfaces of the articles being washed. One disadvantage of a spray source positioned near the top of a top-opening dishwasher is that, in the past, it has necessitated a coupling arrangement to allow movement of the top-opening door. Such a coupling is costly and subject to malfunction after continued use. Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a wash fluid spray source near the top of the wash chamber, in automatic dishwasher, which obviates the aforementioned couplin It is an object of this invention to provide an improved means to seal around the closure member of an automatic washing machine. I

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved wash fluid spray sourcefor an automatic washing machine.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a combined closure member sealing means and wash fluid spray source for an automatic Washing machine.

Briefly stated, in accordance with one aspect of this invention, there is provided a washing machine having a wash chamber, an access opening for the wash chamber and a closure member to close the access opening. An inflatable sealing means is positioned adjacent the access opening to cooperate with the closure member. An apropriate pressure source is provided to inflate the sealing means as desired.

in one specific embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of openings are provided in the sealing means to interconnect the interior of the sealing means with the wash chamber. In this embodiment, wash fluid is utilized to inflate the sealing means and the openings serve as a wash fluid spray source.

While the specification concludes with claims particuarly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention, it is believed the invention will be better understood from the following descriptino taken in connection with the accompany draw ings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a partial elevational view, partially cut away to show details, of an automaticwashing machine employing the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partial view of the washing machine shown in FIGURE 1 with the closure member in the open position; and

FIGURE 3 is a partial view of the washing machine shown in FIGURE 1 with the closure member closed and the sealing means inflated.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIG- URE 1, there is illustrated a washing machine in the form of an automatic dishwasher 10 having an outer cabinet 11- and a wash chamber 12. Disposed within wash chamber 12 are racks l3 and 14, each adapted to support articles to be washed within chamber 1'. Cooperating with cabinet 11 to form wash chamber 12 is a bottom wall 15 which is tapered downwardly toward its center to form a sump 16. Positioned near the center of sump 16 and supported by bottomwall 15 is a motor-pump assembly 17. Motor-pump assembly 17 includes an electric drive motor 13 and a pump 19. In one direction of rotation of motor 18, pump 1? draws wash fluid from sump 16 through an inlet 24) and forces it up through a reaction type spray arm 21 and an extendable spray tube 22. Wash fluid ejected from spray arm 21 effects a Wash action on articles supported by rack 14- while wash fluid ejected by tube 22 effects a wash action on articles supported by rack 13.

As motor-pump assembly 17 rotates in the direction wherein spray arm 21 and spray tuoe 22 effect a wash action, pump 19 also withdraws wash fluid from sump 16 through inlet 2% and propels it out through conduit 23 for purposes to be more fully described hereinafter. When drive motor 18 is energized in the reverse direction, pump 19 withdraws wash fluid from sump l6 and propels it out through effluent discharge conduit 24 which may communicate with a suitable sewer system (not shown).

The motor-pump assembly 17, spray arm Ziand spray tube 22 all may be as disclosed in US. Patent 3,084,761 issued to A. L. Hardy et al., dated April 9, 1963 and assigned to the General Electric Company, assignee of the present invention.

At the top of wash chamber 12 and cabinet 11 there is an access opening to allow articles to be placed into racks 13 and 14. The access opening is provided with a closure member 25 which is slidable horizontally between a closed position in registry with the access opening and an open position. Closure member 25 is illustrated in the open position in FEGURE 2. A slide mechanism is provided to facilitate opening and closing of closure memher 25 and includes a slide member 26 which is supported by a plurality of rollers 27 from cabinet 11. Rel- 3 ers 27 are preferably secured to cabinet 11 so as to be freely rotatable. Slide member 26 is provided with slots 28 and 29. Slot 28 receives a pin 33 projecting from the closure member 25 while slot 29 receives a similar pin 31. Closure member 25 is also provided with a handle 32 to facilitate opening thereof.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a sealing means or gasket 33 to provide a seal between cabinet 11 and closure member 25. Gasket 33 comprises an annular hollow member of reasonably flexible material which circumscribes the access opening in cabinet 11. Gasket 33 has an inlet 34 through which fluid under pressure may be admitted to gasket 33; As best shown in FIGURE 1, inlet 34 is connected to conduit 23. As mentioned above, when motor-pump assembly 17 rotates in the direction wherein spray arm 21 and spray tube 22 eflect a wash action within chamber 12, a portion of the wash fluid drawn from sump 16 by pump 19 is forced into conduit 23. As tln's occurs, gasket 33 is inflated, or stretched, into the configuration illus trated in FIGURE 3. As can be seen in FIGURE 3, gasket 33 provides an effective seal between cabinet 11 and closure member when gasket 33 is thus inflated.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment illustrated, pressure is applied to the interior of gasket 33 only when pump 19 is operated to eflect a wash action within chamber 12. Accordingly, gasket 33 is providing a seal only during the periods when a seal is necessary, i.e., only when wash fluids are being sprayed about within chamber 12. This provides an ancillary advantage since during the drying operation in a dishwasher it is helpful to vent the wash chamber and gasket 33, by collapsing due to absence of operation of pump 19 during drying, provides a vent opening around closure member 25.

By suitably dimensioning pump 19, it is possible to provide at inlet 34 suitable pressure to inflate gasket 33 sufficiently to provide the desired seal between cabinet 11 and closure member 25. This is easily achieved since the output of pump 19 is primarily directed toward spray arm 21 and spray tube 22. In other words, only a small portion of the output of pump 19 is directed toward gasket 33 and, this small portion may be increased or decreased without materially aflecting the amount of fluid directed to spray arm 21 and spray tube 22.

The present invention also provides the additional feature of a spray source near the top of wash chamber 12 without the complexities or expense normally connected to a top spray source in a dishwasher. This is achieved by providing one or more openings in gasket 33 such that the openings interconnect the interior of gasket 33 with wash chamber 12. Suitable sealing pressure may be maintained within gasket 33 by correlating the size of openings 35 with the volume of water forced into conduit 23 by pump 19.

Although the embodiment illustrated in the drawing shows gasket 33 receiving fluid under pressure from pump 19, it would be possible to inflate gasket 33 with fluid from another source. For example, if dishwasher 10 has a control means which provides a continuous fill and drain during the wash cycle, gasket 33 could be inflated by incoming water from the normal house plumbing system. With such an arrangement, openings 35 would serve as the Water inlet to the dishwasher.

Thus, it can be seen that the present invention provides an improved sealing means or gasket for the closure member of an automatic washing machine. Additionally, the sealing means or gasket may be provided with openings therein whereby the sealing means or gasket serves as a spray source near the top of the wash chamber of the automatic washing machine. Although the specific embodiment shown in FIGURE 1 includes a sliding closure member, it should be realized that the present inven tion is not limited to an arrangement including a sliding closure member. A sliding closure member has been shown since it presents unique sealing problems which are overcome by the present invention. That is, with a swinging closure member the movement of the closure member can be employed to engage and partially compress a sealing member; however, with a sliding closure mernher this is not as easily accomplished. The expandable or inflatable gasket of the present invention provides the necessary movement to accomplish a seal. Therefore, the present invention is particularly useful with a sliding closure member but is in no way limited to employment with a sliding closure member.

As will be evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the invention are not limited to the particu lar details of construction of the example illustrated, and

it is contemplated that various and other modifications or applications will occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore intended that the appended claims shall cover such modifications and applications as do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A washing machine comprising:

(a) a cabinet,

(12) a Wash chamber within said cabinet adapted to receive articles to be washed therein,

(c) an access opening in said cabinet to provide access to said wash chamber,

(d) a closure member for said access opening, and

(e) means to provide a seal between said cabinet and said closure member,

(1) said means comprising an inflatable member in communication with a source of pressurized fluid,

(g) said means having at least one opening therein directly and continuously interconnecting the interior of said means with the wash chamber,

(11) said opening being configurated to effect a spray action by the fluid passing through said opening upon the articles within said wash chamber.

2. A washing machine comprising:

(a) a cabinet, 7

(b) a wash chamber within said cabinet adapted to receive articles to be washed therein,

(0) an access opening in said cabinet to provide access to said wash chamber,

(d) a closure member for said access opening,

(e) means including a pump to effect a wash action within said wash chamber, and

(1) an inflatable member adjacent said access opening and in communication with the outlet of said pump whereby pressure generated by said pump inflates said means to effect a seal between said closure member and said cabinet.

3. The invention defined in claim 2 wherein said inflat able member has at least one opening therein intercom necting the interior of said inflatable member with the Wash chamber.

4. The invention defined in claim 3 wherein said opening is configurated to effect a spray action by the fluid passing through said opening upon the articles within said wash chamber.

5. A washing machine comprising:

(a) a cabinet,

(b) a wash chamber within said cabinet adapted to receive articles to be washed therein,

(0) an access opening in said cabinet to provide access to said wash chamber,

(d) a closure member for said access opening,

(e) a pump having an inlet in communication with said wash chamber,

(f) an inflatable member adjacent said access opening and in communication with the outlet of said pump whereby pressure generated by said pump inflates said means to effect a seal between said closure member and said cabinet.

6. The invention defined in claim 5 wherein said inflatable member has at least one opening therein intercon- 6 meeting the interior of said inflatable member with the 1,687,617 10/28 Jewell 134200X Wash chamber. 2,033,355 3/36 Peterson 22046 X r 7. The invention defined in claim 6 wherein said open- 2,201,322; 5/40 Schwartz 22046 ing is configurated to eifect a spray action by the fluid 2,690,854 10/54 Kaye 22046 passing through said opening upon the articles within said 5 2,691,460 10/54 Barnebey 22046 wash chamber. 2,836,186 5/58 Guth 134-57 3,077,200 2/63 Guth 134-176 1 References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PA S CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

' 1,082,259 12/13 Baumiller et al. "134-191 

1. A WASHING MACHINE COMPRISING: (A) A CABINET, (B) A WASH CHAMBER WITHIN SAID CABINET ADAPTED TO RECEIVE ARTICLES TO BE WASHED THEREIN, (C) AN ACCESS OPENING IN SAID CABINET TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO SAID WASH CHAMBER, (D) A CLOSURE MEMBER FOR SAID ACCESS OPENING, AND (E) MEANS TO PROVIDE A SEAL BETWEEN SAID CABINET AND SAID CLOSURE MEMBER, (F) SAID MEANS COMPRISING AN INFLATABLE MEMBER IN COMMUNICATION WITH A SOURCE OF PRESSURIZED FLUID, (G) SAID MEANS HAVING AT LEAST ONE OPENING THEREIN DIRECTLY AND CONTINUOUSLY INTERCONNECTING THE INTERIOR OF SAID MEANS WITH THE WASH CHAMBER, (H) SAID OPENING BEING CONFIGURATED TO EFFECT A SPRAY ACTION BY THE FLUID PASSING THROUGH SAID OPENING UPON THE ARTICLES WITHIN SAID WASH CHAMBER. 